Kanpur (UP): A case has been registered against an English Weekly amid a row over objectionable pictures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali that has led Hindu activists to burn copies of the magazine and economist Bibek Debroy end his association with it. Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur police had registered the case against the editor and management of the magazine.
The FIR was registered following a complaint Thursday by former BJP state vice-president Prakash Sharma, who accused them of hurting religious feelings. Prakash said he bought the July 24 dated issue of the magazine and was shocked to find the obscene depiction of "Lord Shiva" and "Mother Kali".
"These images hurt our Hindu sentiments. I want such publications should be banned altogether," he said, demanding the district administration and the state government take stringent actions against those responsible. Bajrang Dal workers burnt copies of the magazine at the city's Bada Chauraha on Friday, seeking action against the editors of the magazine brought out in English by the Malayala Manorama group.
Bibek Debroy, who heads the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister, on Thursday ended his association with the publication as a columnist over a picture of the goddess Kali tagged to his article in the July 24 edition. This is the second controversy in recent weeks over the depiction of the goddess.